Always working and moving as the Evgeni Nabokov waiver drama plays out today.  Let’s see what happens.  In the meantime, here is Ryan’s Morning Skate.  This is definitely a cut above the rest.

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Sabres 4, Bruins 2

Maple Leafs 5, Ducks 2

Devils 2, Penguins 0

Capitals 2, Islanders 1

Flyers 6, Senators 2

Hurricanes 4, Rangers 1

Lightning 3, Thrashers 2 (SO)

Red Wings 4, Blues 3 (OT)

Predators 5, Avalanche 1

Stars 4, Oilers 2

Sharks 2, Canucks 1 (SO)

Coyotes 2, Kings 0

Predictions record: 8-4

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Ilya Bryzgalov, PHX (36 Saves, Shutout)… His team was out-played and out-shot by 21, but that didn’t keep Bryzgalov from shutting out the desperate Kings.

2. Mike Richards, PHI (2 Goals, 2 Assists)

3. Martin Brodeur, NJ (23 Saves, Shutout)

Close but no cigar: A. Niemi, SJ; R. Luongo, VAN; S. Stamkos, TB; P. Rinne, NSH; R. Miller and T. Vanek, BUF; M. Grabovski and C. MacArthur, TOR; K. Lehtonen, DAL; J. Skinner, CAR; N. Backstrom, WSH; J. Hudler, DET

—

Tonight’s Slate:

Islanders @ Sabres, 7:30 ET

Canadiens @ Senators, 7:30

Lightning @ Panthers, 7:30

Stars @ Flames, 9:00

Game of the Night:

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Florida Panthers

7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Lightning (28-15-5) … Panthers (21-20-4)

Last Ten: Lightning (6-4-0) … Panthers (5-3-2)

Away/Home: Lightning (13-11-3) … Panthers (11-8-4)

Season Series: 2-0 Panthers

Players to watch:

TB- Steven Stamkos

Have you seen Stamkos lately? He’s on fire (six goals in the last four games).

FLA- Dennis Wideman

The first-year Panther has been producing of late (nine points in the last 11 games).

Projected Goaltenders:

TB- Dan Ellis (2010/11 stats: 11-7-5, 3.07 GAA)

FLA- Tomas Vokoun (2010/11 stats: 16-15-2, 2.57 GAA)

Injury Report:

TB- Mike Smith (knee, out)

FLA- Bryan McCabe (face, out), Chris Higgins (hamstring, out), Byron Bitz (sports hernia, out)

Game Thoughts:

Coming off a big shootout win in Atlanta 24 hours ago, the Lightning hope to keep it up tonight in South Florida. After blowing their last two games late in regulation, you know the lurking Panthers want to get two points before heading out on a six-game road-trip. Peter DeBoer’s club has taken the first two meetings of the year, but I’m leaning towards the Bolts tonight.

Prediction: Lightning 4, Panthers 3

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Sabres over Islanders

Canadiens over Senators

Stars over Flames

Hockey weather is optional on the East Coast today but Ryan gives us the Morning Skate anyway. Its Hump Day so why not get ready for some hockey tonight.

November Quick Look:

Predictions record: 130-71 (64.7%)

RLD 3 Stars of the Month:

1. Sidney Crosby, PIT (12 Goals, 14 Assists, +5)

2. Carey Price, MTL (8-4-0, 1.59 GAA, 3 SO)

3. Steven Stamkos, TB (12 Goals, 9 Assists, -2)

—

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Lightning 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)

Predators 3, Coyotes 0

Blackhawks 7, Blues 5

Thrashers 3, Avalanche 2 (OT)

Red Wings 5, Sharks 3

Predictions record: 4-1

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Henrik Zetterberg, DET (2 Goals, 2 Assists)… Zetterberg and his four points engineered the Wings’ onslaught in San Jose.

2. Pekka Rinne, NSH (33 Saves, Shutout)

3. Martin St. Louis, TB (2 Goals)

Close but no cigar: T. Kopecky, P. Kane and J. Toews, CHI; P. Datsyuk, DET; D. Backes, STL; D. Byfuglien, ATL; S. Gagne, TB

—

Tonight’s Slate:

Oilers @ Canadiens, 7:00 ET

Bruins @ Flyers, 7:00

Predators @ Blue Jackets, 7:00

Capitals @ Blues, 8:00

Coyotes @ Wild, 8:00

Canucks @ Flames, 9:30

Panthers @ Ducks, 10:00

Games of the Night:

Washington Capitals @ St. Louis Blues

8:00 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Capitals (17-6-2) … Blues (12-8-3)

Last Ten: Capitals (6-2-2) … Blues (3-6-1)

Away/Home: Capitals (5-5-1) … Blues (8-1-1)

Season Series (09/10): 1-0 Blues

Players to watch:

WSH- Nicklas Backstrom

Backstrom has five points in the last three games.

STL- David Backes

Backes is coming off a big four-point performance in Chicago.

Projected Goaltenders:

WSH- Semyon Varlamov (2010/11 stats: 3-1-0, 1.87 GAA)

STL- Jaroslav Halak (2010/11 stats: 10-6-2, 2.37 GAA)

Injury Report:

WSH- Mike Green (knee, probable), Tyler Sloan (undisclosed, out)

STL- T.J. Oshie (ankle, out), David Perron (concussion, out), Roman Polak (wrist, out)

Game Thoughts:

This will be the first of two meetings between the Blues and Caps as Ovechkin and company make their way to the Gateway City. St. Louis will be on a mission to snap out of their funk, especially after last night’s 7-5 loss in Chicago. Couple that with Washington’s inconsistent play on the road, and I like Halak to get the best of the Caps once again.

Prediction: Blues 3, Capitals 2

—

Wednesday Game of the Week:

Boston Bruins (12-8-2) @ Philadelphia Flyers (15-6-4)

7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

2009/10 Season Series: Tied 2-2

Prediction: Flyers 4, Bruins 2

More to come from this game…

—

Lock of the Night:

Canadiens over Oilers… I simply do not see the Oilers winning again out east after topping the Sens on Monday. Look for the Habs to take care of business tonight.

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Predators over Blue Jackets

Coyotes over Wild

Canucks over Flames

Ducks over Panthers

Welcome to December and take it away Ryan…..

Au revoir Novembre… Bonjour Decembre!

The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Penguins 5, Rangers 2
Sabres 3, Maple Leafs 0
Thrashers 4, Panthers 3
Capitals 3, Hurricanes2
Blue Jackets 5, Blues 2
Avalanche 3, Lightning 0
Red Wings 4, Stars 1
Flames 5, Predators 0
Predictions record: 7-1

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Ryan Miller, BUF (38 Saves, Shutout)
It was ‘Miller Time’ in Toronto as the Sabres’ backstop shutout the Leafs in dominant fashion.
2. R.J. Umberger, CBJ (3 Goals, 1 Assist)
No team needed a win more than the Jackets last night, and Umberger stepped up with a hat trick.
3. Nicklas Backstrom, WSH (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
With his P.I.C. (partner in crime) gone for most of the game, Backstrom delivered for the Caps with 3 crucial points.
Honorable Mention: M. Rupp, C. Anderson, M. Kiprusoff, S. Crosby
Dud of the Night:
Keith Ballard… The Panthers defenseman took out his own goalie after Atlanta’s second goal. He swung his stick in frustration, and struck Vokoun accidentally, giving him a lacerated ear and a trip to the hospital. I understand it wasn’t purpose, but good golly miss molly! I’m pretty sure he’ll never let his frustrations show after a goal again…
—

Tonight’s Slate:
Maple Leafs @ Canadiens, 7:00 ET
Blue Jackets @ Blackhawks, 8:00
Senators @ Sharks, 10:30
Kings @ Ducks, 10:30

Games of the Night:
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Chicago Blackhawks
8:00 ET… TV: VERSUS, TSN2

Records:
Overall: Blue Jackets (13-9-4) … Blackhawks (16-6-3)
Last Ten: Blue Jackets (4-4-2) … Blackhawks (8-1-1)
Away/Home: Blue Jackets (6-7-1) … Blackhawks (10-2-1)
Season Series: First meeting

Players to watch:
CBJ- Rick Nash
Captain Nash failed to tally a point last night… does that mean he’s due?
CHI- Marian Hossa
He will make his home debut tonight, and has owned Columbus in his career.

Projected Goaltenders:
CBJ- Matheiu Garon (09/10 stats: 15-7-0, 2.54 GAA)
CHI- Cristobal Huet (09/10 stats: 12-5-2, 2.12 GAA)

Injury Report:
CBJ- Rostislav Klesla (leg, out), Derek Dorsett (head, out), Fredrik Modin (knee, out), Andrew Murray (shoulder, out)
CHI- Dave Bolland (back, out), Adam Burish (knee, out)

Game Thoughts:
The United Center should be buzzing tonight with Hossa making his first appearance at home this season. They’ll be facing a Jackets team coming off an important 5-2 win last night. Most of Columbus’ recent struggles have come on the road, while Chicago is dynamite on home-ice. Take the ‘Hawks…
Prediction: Blackhawks 4, Blue Jackets 2
—
Ottawa Senators @ San Jose Sharks
10:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Senators (13-7-4) … Sharks (18-6-4)
Last Ten: Senators (6-2-2) … Sharks (6-2-2)
Away/Home: Senators (3-4-1) … Sharks (7-1-2)
Season Series: First meeting

Players to watch:
OTT- Milan Michalek
He returns to San Jose, and has been on a goal-scoring tear lately.
SJ- Dany Heatley
‘Heater’ gets to face his former team for the first time since he turned his back on ‘em.

Projected Goaltenders:
OTT- Brian Elliott (09/10 stats: 5-2-3, 2.59 GAA)
SJ- Evgeni Nabokov (09/10 stats: 16-4-4, 2.35 GAA)

Injury Report:
OTT- Pascal Leclaire (jaw, out), Chris Neil (knee, out), Anton Volchenkov (elbow, may play), Shean Donovan (knee, out)
SJ- Brad Staubitz (face, out), Jody Shelley (soreness, out)

Game Thoughts:
These two face off for the first time since their blockbuster trade in September. I wish this game was in Ottawa so Heatley could feel the heat (pun intended). Instead Sharks fans will probably be treated to nice ‘welcome home’ videos for Michalek and Cheechoo. San Jose finally gets to settle at home after playing 2/3 of their schedule on the road. Cory Clouston’s club has a tough task tonight, and I like the Sharks to win – big.
Prediction: Sharks 5, Senators 2

The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Canadiens over Maple Leafs
Ducks over Kings

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